Mounting Telrad to my Z12

I just bought a Telrad for my Z12 to replace the cheap finder scope that came with the it. I had some questions about mounting it though. It came with double sided tape to use for mounting and I am a concerned how durable this will be. I regularly go out in negative temperatures and don't know how the tape will hold up in those temperatures. I realize you can screw it into the OTA with the provided holes in the base which might end up being my best bet. I also read on here somewhere that someone used large zip ties to mount it, is that feasible?

Lastly, I was thinking about mounting it between the focuser and where the old finder scope is, I don't know if that will throw the balance off or not, or if I even have to worry about balance or not.

I know I got lots of questions but this is my first Dob so I am new to this whole set up and just want to make sure I do it right.

Have used the tape before for temporary... have drilled holes in the tube and used screws on the base, left it that way a long time.

Moved my telrads to use the scopestuff telrad rail with finder shoe and just put secondary shoes on my scopes. A plus is that it raises it somewhat, negating the need for the telrad riser I used before. And I can swap out various optical finder, RDF, telrads as I see fit.

For me double sided tape works just fine - though I don't have to deal with sub-zero temperatures. I'd rather try that first, though, before drilling holes in my tube.

As to placement, I have a Z10 and placed my Telrad as close to the focuser as possible - in between the focuser and where the original finder was (I sold the original finder). I also use a 2" Telrad riser for comfort - though with the Z12 you may not need/want a riser.

The tape holds fine and can actually be easily removed with heat from a hair dryer if necessary in the future.I recently did what edwinh did and removed the base replacing it with the dovetail base that scopestuff sells,but that is just a personal preference as I can now move my telrad from scope to scope without needing extra base units. As far as placement is concerned I would advise you to place it to the right of the old finder location. If you ever decide to get a telrad riser it will not interfere with any optical finder that you may use.

I use the Telrad and have it mounted with the tape and have not had any problems yet. I have thought about this, and if the tape does fail, I will drill a couple of holes and mount it with bolts. I use the Telrad to get me in the neighborhood, then switch over to the visual finder. It's a system that is working well for me.

This question has come up before and a few people did mention their tape failing.

Drilling holes is no big deal. Just use a good magnet in a sandwich bag to catch filings and drill while the tube is horizontal. A wood block inside the tube helps you push while drilling. Put some masking tape on the tube and mark your spots. The holes are easier to drill if you dent the two spots with a sharp nail.

The Z12's balance point is easily shifted with a hex key loosening the pairs of bolts in the altitude bearings. Be careful to get both sides moved to the same reference marks.

came with double sided tape to use for mounting and I am a concerned how durable this will be.

I live in Montana, and my scope sits in my observatory year around, reaching way below zero temps; and the Telrad tape has held perfectly! This is a commercial heavy duty tape, not the tape bought in many of the local stores; that may not hold securely in fluctuating temps.

You also may be able to get the necessary accessory from ScopeStuff to use the telrad in the base for your original finder.

I actually did mount the Telrad with the tape provided last night. I did it between the original finder and the focuser, it seems to fit nice right there. I tightened the base up on the original finder and that helped, it was originally sloppy and didn't hold a zero at all. But now that I tightened the base it seems to stay put. I also decided to leave the original one on to help me with the magnification to like BigC said get me to the right spot after I find the right neighborhood with the Telrad. I might just add the Zipties to the Telrad base just to further sure it up so I can stop worrying about it falling off. Thanks for all the advice guys.